BEST 2013: Best Yoga Studio to Get Your Om On

A typical day in the city is stressful. Whether it's doing
battle for a seat on the T, sitting in rush hour traffic until the needle hits
‘E,' or simply weaving through tourists on packed downtown streets - we could
all use a way to unwind. Of course, there's always drinking, but so much the
better if your chosen method of relaxation is healthy for the body as well as
the mind. Whether you've been rocking your Asana for years or you've just
learned what a Downward Dog is, Boston
is rife with yoga studios that can provide both a vigorous workout and a
refreshing sanctuary. So vote your favorite in our 2013 readers' poll! Namaste.

Back
Bay Yoga | BostonThough Back Bay Yoga makes its
unlikely home in the heart of downtown Boston
(near the intersection of Arlington
and Boylston streets), you might miss it if you didn't know it was there. But
once you enter, you'll find three gorgeous studios, a friendly, helpful staff,
and a small merchandise store. They also frequently offer deals for new yogis,
college students, and more. Back Bay Yoga is affiliated with yoga and cycling
studio Sweat & Soul Yoga, and you're in for a delightful and enriching
experience each time you enter either place.

Baptiste
Power Yoga | Cambridge | BrooklineNamed for founder Baron Baptiste,
this brand of yoga is unlike any other. Power Yoga focuses on the physical and
psychological benefits of yoga "without the
mysticism and new-agey overtones." But if you think holding the spirituality
discredits Baptiste as a yoga practitioner, think again. He spent four years
keeping the Philadelphia Eagles (yes, we know - boo, hiss, GO PATS!) in prime
condition, and if you visit one of his studios in our neck of the woods, his
methodology will do the same for you.

Blissful
Monkey | Jamaica PlainIf you visit Blissful Monkey's
website, you will find the studio has but one rule: If you're not having fun, you're not doing it right! The studio boasts
an array of instructors with unique styles and specializations, but what they
have in common is a desire to make yoga accessible to virtually everyone. From the
slightly out-of-shape beginners, to those that have long since made a mind-body
connection through yoga, anyone looking for a warm and welcoming place to
practice can find it here.

Dahn Holistic Fitness | Cambridge
| BrooklineIronically,
Dahn yoga sets itself apart from other yoga styles by incorporating elements of
all of them. More than a series of poses, Dahn classes can also feature
meditative periods and brain exercises designed to keep your mind sharp and
present while your body works. Although the practice itself is heavily based on
Eastern traditions and philosophies, Dahn Holistic Fitness studios have popped
up all over the country, providing a place to expand your knowledge as you get
fit.

O2 Yoga Studios | Somerville
| CambridgeWhatever
your strengths, you can come to O2 to find your niche. With studios in
Cambridge and in Somerville, O2 often offers classes centered around
specialized topics, from multi-part series of classes designed for beginners,
to classes that can help you perfect challenging poses like arm balances and
inversions. The O2 experience is definitely versatile. The website hosts a
vegan blog in addition to the yoga blog, and the studio even offers the option
to book a massage after class. Om yeah!

Om Warrior | BostonOm Warrior
is the brainchild of Marc McDonald, who uses elements of martial arts to inform
his yoga teachings and create a method that is "physically powerful and
mentally peaceful." Students at Om Warrior will focus primarily on Vinyasa
yoga, and most of the classes are taught by McDonald himself (we salute him -
at the end of the day he must be very tired). All in all, Om Warrior is a
unique, urban space with a fresh take on traditional yoga methods.